Luminaire controller

Abstract

Described herein is a luminaire controller for a luminaire in which dimming signals can be provided to control the operation of the luminaire. The controller also includes an energy measurement module connected to a mains supply, a sensor module, a power switch, a central processing module and a ZigBee transceiver module. The controller, in addition to providing dimming signals in accordance with ambient lighting conditions sensed by a photocell in the sensor module, provides efficient energy metering. In one embodiment, the luminaire controller is directly mountable on a luminaire for control thereof.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A luminaire controller configured for being mountable to a luminaire and for being operable for controlling the operation of the luminaire to which it is mounted, the luminaire controller comprising:
 a housing mountable to the luminaire; 
 mains input terminals mounted within the housing and configured for being connected to a mains supply; 
 a power switch module mounted within the housing and configured for being connected to the mains supply by way of the mains input terminals; 
 a central processing module mounted within the housing and configured for being connected for controlling central processing functions of the luminaire controller; 
 a communications module mounted within the housing and configured for interacting wirelessly with at least one other communications module; 
 a dimming interface mounted within the housing and configured for being controlled by the central processing module, the dimming interface including interfaces for both ‘0-10V’ and DALI protocols; and 
 a sensor module mounted in the housing and configured for providing control signals to the central processing module in accordance with sensed ambient conditions; 
 wherein the luminaire controller is configured to be mountable on one of: a ‘0-10V’-type receptacle and a DALI-type receptacle provided on the luminaire, the central processing module being configured for switching between the ‘0-10V’ interface and the DALI interface in accordance with the type of receptacle and the protocol associated therewith. 
 
     
     
       2. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module comprises a photocell for sensing ambient lighting conditions in the vicinity of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module comprises a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature conditions within the housing, the temperature sensor providing temperature compensating signals to the central processing module. 
     
     
       4. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimmable interface is operated in accordance with control signals provided by the sensor module. 
     
     
       5. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimmable interface is operated in accordance with a pre-programmed dimming profile. 
     
     
       6. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , directly mountable on the luminaire. 
     
     
       7. The luminaire controller according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a pin connector connecting directly with a complementary plug connector within the luminaire, the plug connector providing at least five connections with the luminaire. 
 
     
     
       8. The luminaire controller according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least a three-pin NEMA connector connectable to the luminaire. 
 
     
     
       9. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimming interface comprises at least one additional connector for connection with the luminaire. 
     
     
       10. The luminaire controller according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one additional connector comprises an optical interface. 
     
     
       11. The luminaire controller according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one additional arcuate pin. 
     
     
       12. The luminaire controller according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a central stereo-type plug. 
     
     
       13. The luminaire controller according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one connector comprises a coaxial type plug. 
     
     
       14. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one service link through which system updates can be uploaded. 
     
     
       15. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , further comprising an energy measurement module connected to the mains input terminals. 
     
     
       16. The luminaire controller according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one transparent window through which ambient conditions can be determined. 
     
     
       17. A luminaire, comprising:
 a luminaire controller, which comprises: 
 a housing mountable to the luminaire; 
 mains input terminals mounted within the housing and configured for being connected to a mains supply; 
 a power switch module mounted within the housing and configured for being connected to the mains supply by way of the mains input terminals; 
 a central processing module mounted within the housing and configured for being connected for controlling central processing functions of the luminaire controller; 
 a communications module mounted within the housing and configured for interacting wirelessly with at least one other communications module; 
 a dimming interface mounted within the housing and configured for being controlled by the central processing module, the dimming interface including interfaces for both ‘0-10V’ and DALI protocols; and 
 a sensor module mounted in the housing and configured for providing control signals to the central processing module in accordance with sensed ambient conditions; 
 wherein the luminaire controller is configured to be mountable on one of: a ‘0-10V’-type receptacle and a DALI-type receptacle provided on the luminaire, the central processing module being configured for switching between the ‘0-10V’ interface and the DALI interface in accordance with the type of receptacle and the protocol associated therewith. 
 
     
     
       18. A method for controlling a luminaire, comprising the steps of:
 mounting a luminaire controller on one of: a ‘0-10V’-type receptacle and a DALI-type receptacle provided on the luminaire; 
 connecting mains input terminals of the luminaire controller to a mains supply mounted within a housing of the luminaire controller; 
 connecting a power switch module mounted within the housing to the mains supply by way of the mains input terminals; 
 switching, by a central processing module, between a ‘0-10V’ interface and a DALI interface included in a dimming interface mounted within the housing in accordance with the type of receptacle provided on the luminaire and the ‘0-10V’ or DALI protocol associated therewith; and 
 controlling, by the central processing module, the dimming interface and central processing functions of the luminaire controller.